The World's Longest Art Gallery Can Be Found Right Here In Utah
By Catherine Armstrong|Published March 24, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
When you think of famous art galleries, you might picture the Smithsonian, the Guggenheim, or the Louvre. While each of those places certainly offer plenty of amazing art, the Beehive State is actually home to the world’s longest art gallery. That’s right – this art gallery stretches for 46 miles, and it features art created more than a thousand years ago.
To see this incredible, ancient art gallery, head to eastern Utah.
South of Helper, you'll find the small town of Wellington. From U.S. Highway 91, turn off onto Soldier Creek Road. It turns into 9 Mile Canyon Road, which takes you right to the canyon.
Nine Mile Canyon is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. You'll find restrooms in several spots here, as well as a picnic area, hiking trails, and a historic homestead.
Don't let the name fool you - this canyon is much longer than nine miles, and ancient petroglyphs and pictographs stretch for 46 miles along its cliffs.
The rock found in the canyon is sandstone, mudstone, and limestone. Though these images have weathered time thus far, they're still in danger of disappearing.
The Fremont people lived here between 950-1250 A.D., and they left thousands of petroglyphs and pictographs to give us clues about their history. This panel is called The Great Hunt, and it's one of the most recognizable petroglyphs in the world!
There are more than 1,000 sites to see rock art at Nine Mile Canyon. While the oldest art is Fremont, newer art from Ute tribes is also visible, sometimes drawn right over the top of the older art.
When you visit Nine Mile Canyon, make sure to practice the Leave No Trace Principles. Pack out whatever trash you bring in, take only pictures and leave only footprints.